Comedian PJ Gallagher and GAA All-Star Jack McCaffrey get on their bikes to help Dublin Simon and Safetynet raise €100,000

Volunteers will travel 3,400km in twelve hour cyclathon to help purchase a new Mobile Health Unit

Dublin Simon Community and Safetynet today launched their 2016 Cyclathon, which will take place on Saturday 7th May on South King Street, Dublin 2.

The Cyclathon will see ten volunteers cycling on ten stationary bikes for twelve hours straight, aiming to collectively cycle over 3,400km, which is the distance that the unit covers in a year. The mobile health unit provides free primary health care and harm reduction services to people who are homeless in Dublin City. The current model is almost 25 years old and it will cost €100,000 to purchase a new one.

The Cyclathon challenge will take place from 9am to 9pm and Dublin Simon Community and Safetynet are encouraging people to come down on the day and join in with the fun. Comedian PJ Gallagher and Dublin GAA All-Star Jack McCaffrey have already shown their support to the Mobile Health Unit, and there will also be live music on the day from the Stomptown Brass Band at 1pm.

Insanity Fit Zone in Palmerstown have also kindly donated the bikes for the fundraiser for the volunteers to cycle on. You can learn more about the services the unit provides with our YouTube video of some of the clients sharing their experiences of the clinic, and why they feel it’s such an important health service for those experiencing homelessness.

Keep up to date with the latest Cyclathon news by following the hashtag #MHUCyclathon on Twitter and Facebook. You can also make a donation towards the Mobile Health Unit through the Cyclathon JustGiving page.